Will deliver Becoming A Student Doctor course as part of the AHEC Scholars Program
On September 30, 2022, the Health Professional Student Association (HPSA) and the South Louisiana Region Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) entered into a five-year alliance agreement to incorporate the Becoming A Student Doctor course developed by HPSA into an enhanced and customized course for use in Southeast and Southwest Louisiana AHEC’s Scholars Program.
The course promotes interprofessionalism and helps students build their professional identity as community leaders and advocates. Students will learn how to articulate how they fulfill society’s need for health care providers and health equity in a complex, culturally competent interprofessional system.
“I’m happy that HPSA can bring the Becoming a Student Doctor resource to these AHEC Scholars, said Emil Chuck, Ph.D., Director of Advising Services for HPSA. “These materials should inspire both self-reflection and group discussion to reinforce what they are learning through their clinical experiences.”
The AHEC Scholars Program is a national initiative designed to enhance the education and training of current health profession students committed to serving local rural and underserved populations. As hosted by the South Louisiana Region AHECs, the program aims to prepare a diverse, culturally competent primary care workforce to deliver high-quality care where there is a critical need. AHEC Scholars are selected for a two-year commitment from various health professions programs, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, public health, and social work.
“Consistently throughout the last three decades, South Louisiana Region AHEC, in partnership with the Louisiana State University School of Medicine-New Orleans, has prioritized innovation across its core primary care pipeline programs,” said Emilio A. Russo, MD, FAAFP, Department Chair and Associate Professor, Marie Lahasky Professor of Family Medicine, Program Director of LSU Rural Family Medicine, LSU School of Medicine – New Orleans. “The partnership with HPSA places the prospect of value-added expert collaboration, cutting-edge resources, and culturally-responsive content for our AHEC scholars on the near horizon—not only to members of LSU School of Medicine’s thriving Rural Scholars Track but for emerging leaders from Louisiana’s diverse communities across the spectrum of health professions.”
“South Louisiana Region AHEC is doing amazing work to increase primary care access in underserved communities,” said Laura Turner, Executive Director of HPSA. “We are excited for the opportunity to partner with them in support their mission and help develop the next generation of rural healthcare providers.”
HPSA seeks additional pre-health organizations and partners to introduce the Becoming A Student Doctor course in the future. For more information or to request details on how to bring group access to your members, contact HPSA.